Florian Wirtz faces scrutiny at Liverpool amid slow start

More than a year after his record £116 million transfer, Liverpool's German playmaker Florian Wirtz is under intense scrutiny for his on-field impact, with former players and analysts questioning whether he has met expectations and suggesting he could be dropped from the starting lineup.

Wirtz, who joined Liverpool at the end of the 2024-25 season, has scored seven goals and provided 11 assists in 56 appearances. However, he failed to register any goal involvements against top-10 Premier League teams last season. This current campaign has seen him start every league and Champions League match, but he has managed only one assist in seven games.

His struggles were highlighted in a recent match against Manchester City, where manager Andoni Iraola substituted him in the 66th minute. This tactical decision followed Ryan Gravenberch's red card and Erling Haaland's opening goal for City.

Comparisons have been drawn to Rayan Cherki, a player Liverpool also considered. Cherki, who moved to Manchester City for £30 million in June 2025, has already contributed 16 goals and 18 assists in 65 appearances, often providing crucial game-changing moments that Liverpool fans have yet to see consistently from Wirtz.

Former Liverpool defender Steven Warnock commented on Wirtz's performance, noting, "Wirtz has so much ability. I wish I had that ability because he just glides. He makes it look effortless - but he doesn't hurt teams. He doesn't impact the game enough. He drifts in and out of games. He's here for 10 or 20 seconds and then he disappears for five or 10 minutes and you think where is he now?"

Jamie Carragher, speaking after Liverpool's defeat to Manchester City, advocated for Wirtz's removal from the team. "I think he needs to come out of the team, I said that last time out and I'm going to say it again," Carragher stated. "Liverpool played well [against Man City] for a lot of the game before the Gravenberch red card but they didn't create a chance, so they have a real problem with scoring goals and creating chances and that's what you got Wirtz for. He's not giving you anything defensively and he's not giving you anything going the other way. I don't want anyone to pile in on the lad but I think we're justified in saying we need more and we can't wait."

With key players like Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai currently sidelined, dropping Wirtz would be a significant decision for Iraola, especially with Liverpool facing two games per week until the November international break. Gravenberch's suspension for an upcoming match against Brentford means Iraola may have to make further changes to the squad.

Despite recent criticism, Wirtz's best performance this season arguably came in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid, where he was unlucky not to record an assist. Iraola defended his player, stating, "The other day, he probably he didn't have his best game but he has had good games with us this season. Everyone starts looking for answers. He had some good performances in the national team - he scored one goal and he will have better or worse games. But I would like to look at it more collectively and more how they help us play and get results and after that I don't care who scores. I think it's a more collective thing."

Former manager Jurgen Klopp previously highlighted Wirtz's talent, saying, "Attacking players always need a functioning team that works well around them. Anyone who loves football can still see how outstanding Florian is as a player." Steven Gerrard also expressed belief in Wirtz's potential, adding, "I can just picture him beating himself up on how his Liverpool thing has started. This kid is a major talent in my opinion. I've seen enough to believe and give him a chance. I think he needs help and support now."

Wirtz himself expressed confidence at the start of the season, stating he felt "more ready" for his second campaign after focusing on adapting to the physicality of the Premier League in his first year. While he showed glimpses of his ability, such as a crucial pass against Nottingham Forest, these moments have been infrequent. His decision-making in the recent match against Manchester City, where he opted to shoot instead of passing to teammates in better positions, further fueled the debate about his immediate impact.

As the season progresses, Wirtz faces pressure to deliver more consistent and decisive performances, or manager Iraola may be forced to make difficult choices regarding his role in the team.